Islamabad: With an aim to further deepen its strategic partnership with Pakistan, China has delivered the second advanced Hangor-class submarine built for the country. The delivery is part of the USD 5 billion agreement for eight such submarines. The agreement promises to enhance Pakistan’s naval capabilities in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Launched in Wuhan, central China, this submarine is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and sensor technology.
China has already handed over four modern frigates to its long-standing ally. This move aligns with China’s growing naval presence in the Arabian Sea, particularly around the Gwadar port in Balochistan, which is a key component of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China’s plan is to strengthen the Pakistani Navy and utilize it to fulfill its strategic objectives. Meanwhile, Pakistan benefits by using these warships and submarines to challenge India.
Notably, China has been the largest arms supplier to Pakistan for years. However, Pakistan is now also trying to strengthen its defense relations with the United States. To recall, a few days ago, Pakistan extradited Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) terrorist Mohammad Sharifullah to the US. In response, Trump praised Pakistan in the U.S. Congress. Mohammad Sharifullah is accused of playing a key role in the 2021 Kabul airport attack, which killed 170 Afghans and 12 U.S. soldiers.
On March 3, immediately after Trump’s announcement, Pakistan showcased its counterterrorism cooperation with Washington to boost its own reputation. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated, “We will continue to closely partner with the U.S. to ensure regional peace and stability.” However, analysts believe this enthusiasm may be short-lived, as the Trump administration is unlikely to enhance its security and defense cooperation with Pakistan.
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